The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is to be abolished as a part of a main Whitehall reorganisation that may see its duties absorbed into a new Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST), whereas synthetic intelligence (AI) will acquire illustration at the Cabinet table for the first time.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed the adjustments as a part of a wider equipment of presidency reshuffle, bringing to an finish the standalone division established in 2023 to position science and know-how at the centre of presidency.
Under the new construction, Jonathan Reynolds will lead DBIST, which brings collectively enterprise, innovation, science, commerce and know-how duties.
AI coverage and public sector AI adoption will transfer into the Cabinet Office, with Kanishka Narayan appointed Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence collectively throughout the Cabinet Office and DBIST. He will attend Cabinet, giving AI illustration at that degree of presidency for the first time.
End of a standalone know-how division
DSIT was created by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in February 2023 by bringing collectively know-how, digital, science and innovation duties from throughout Whitehall. The division was established to strengthen the UK’s focus on science and technology and to accelerate innovation and digital transformation across government.
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Its capabilities will now be distributed throughout authorities, with know-how coverage integrated into DBIST whereas AI duties transfer to the Cabinet Office. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) shall be renamed the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DDCMS), taking accountability for digital authorities capabilities together with the Government Digital Service (GDS).
AI elevated inside authorities
Narayan was appointed Minister for AI and Online Safety in September 2025. In his new function as Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, he’ll serve collectively throughout the Cabinet Office and DBIST whereas attending Cabinet.
The appointment comes as the authorities continues to place AI as a key driver of economic growth and public service reform, with accountability for AI coverage and adoption now sitting nearer to the centre of presidency.
The restructuring follows several days of speculation over the future of DSIT after stories emerged that the division was set to be merged again into a bigger business-focused ministry.